Royal Enfield is revving up for an action-packed conclusion to 2023. In September, they’re set to unveil the fresh Bullet range, followed by the highly anticipated arrival of the Himalayan 450 in November. Adding to the intrigue, car and bike can confirm that Royal Enfield has recently trademarked a new name for an upcoming motorcycle – the ‘Guerrilla 450.’ While details about the bike remain scarce, it’s expected to be a sibling of the new Himalayan series, promising to infuse even more excitement into what is already one of the year’s most thrilling two-wheeler launches.
Guerrilla 450
Although the details remain somewhat elusive at this juncture, the name “Guerrilla” suggests a more specialized role for this Himalayan variant. Similar to how the Scram 411 complemented the original Himalayan, the Guerrilla 450 is expected to share its roots with the new Himalayan but with a stronger emphasis on off-road capabilities. In line with its guerrilla-inspired theme, this sibling of the Himalayan might come in camouflage and stealth paint options, featuring updated styling, knobby tires for improved traction on challenging terrain, wire-spoke wheels, and enhanced suspension.
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Himalayan 450
Regarding the Himalayan 450, it’s anticipated to be built on an entirely fresh platform, boasting a reduced weight compared to its predecessor. Powering it will be a newly-engineered 450 cc, liquid-cooled, single-cylinder engine, delivering approximately 40 bhp and 37 Nm of torque at its peak.
In terms of features, the new Himalayan will incorporate all-LED lighting and a fully-digital TFT instrument panel with Bluetooth connectivity. Another notable upgrade is the introduction of an upside-down fork, a first for a single-cylinder Royal Enfield. The bike is expected to come with a six-speed transmission, potentially equipped with a slip and assist clutch, which is a step up from the current Himalayan’s five-speed unit.
Royal Enfield’s introduction of the Himalayan and Guerrilla 450 seems to signify a dual-pronged approach aimed at establishing dominance in India’s midsize adventure motorcycle segment. This market has been experiencing renewed attention with the launch of the revamped KTM 390 Adventure and the anticipated debut of the Triumph Scrambler 400X. Simultaneously, the Chennai-based motorcycle manufacturer is preparing to launch its pre-owned motorcycle division, aptly named ‘Reown’.
